Programs
Undergraduate Program of Study
What is the History of Science?
From a certain point of view, the history of science is just one among many specialized subjects in the curriculum, equivalent in its inherent interest to, say, plant physiology or the history of sculpture. But from another point of view the historical and humanistic study of science is unique, belonging right at the heart of a modern university curriculum.
About 50 years ago, C. P. Snow, the English scientist and novelist, described science and humanistic studies as “two cultures” – increasingly distinct and mutually incomprehending. His recommended solution was basically more science in a traditional curriculum that was then biased towards the humanities. The study of the history of science, and the History and Science concentration, offer another solution – a way of engaging with the sciences as intensely human and cultural activities. How have past cultures conceived of the natural world and ways of knowing about that world? What effects have different cultural settings had on the development of science? How, in turn, have science, and the related practices of medicine and technology, shaped our culture and our practical ways of living?
What Can Students Do with a History and Science Degree?
The answer is “everything and anything.” A History and Science concentration closes few, if any, future career options. Our graduates have gone on to successful careers in very many areas, including medicine, law, journalism, government, business, finance, and academia. Employers are increasingly looking for graduates who are not just literate but also scientifically literate, not just technically skilled in a special subject but able to learn, reflect, and draw on the widest possible cultural perspectives.
Concentration in History and Science
History and Science is an interdisciplinary undergraduate honors concentration. The purpose of the program is to expand one's understanding of the scientific endeavor: to explore in some detail how the past has shaped the construction of science and how science, in turn, has shaped other human activities.
To fulfill this purpose, advanced work in both History and Science is necessary. The concentration encourages students to integrate the two disciplines in history of science tutorials and in writing their senior theses.
